While Akshay Kumar’s nationalist films have been a hit-or-miss among critics, Kesari Chapter 2 actually earned strong praise this time. But despite that, the film isn’t pulling crowds in big numbers.
It’s likely that word-of-mouth might just help the Akshay Kumar-starrer cross ₹100 crore worldwide. But that’s still a fraction compared to Chhaava, which stormed past ₹700 crore, despite many critics emphasizing its cinematic shallowness.
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Both these films are somewhat similar in their nationalistic portrayal of atrocities, yet there is a major difference in box office numbers. This could be because of their difference in villains.
Kesari 2 showed the brutalities of British rule in detail. But Chhaava had Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor, as the enemy and that might’ve made all the difference.
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Today, many Indians feel a stronger emotion when the Mughals are shown as the oppressors. The same intensity doesn’t come for the British, even though history tells us they did more damage.
Achieving a cinematic marvel is not enough, it is the anger and the passion that is pushing the Indian audience to the theatres now. Kesari 2 seems to have missed that emotional punch, and that’s why it might fail to become the blockbuster it deserved to be.
